From Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi
As part of deliberate efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and attract more medical professionals, the Kebbi State Government has approved the extension of the retirement age for medical doctors in the state civil service.
The decision was taken at the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor , Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Establishment, Pension and Training, Alhaji Awwal Manu Dogondaji, said the new policy extends doctors’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years, and years of service from 35 to 40 years.
He explained that the move was driven by persistent challenges in the health sector, including shortage of doctors, brain drain, ageing population increase, and increasing demand for healthcare services.
“Allowing retirement at 60 years would result in the loss of highly skilled consultants, surgeons, and specialists whose experience is critical to service delivery, training, and mentorship in both human and veterinary medicine,” the Commissioner stated.
The extension also aligns with the administration’s massive investment in health infrastructure.
Under Governor Idris, the state has rehabilitated and equipped 24 general hospitals, upgraded four facilities to specialist referral hospitals in Birnin Kebbi, Argungu, Yauri and Zuru, and rehabilitated hundreds of Primary Health Centres.
It could be recalled that at the inception of the present administration, Comrade Governor Idris had increased the salary of the medical doctors as being paid in federal and private health hospitals in addition to absorbing over 400 casual nursing staff in to the state civil service.
“While we continue to improve the working environment for medical doctors, the government is also actively recruiting more qualified and experienced personnel to meet the needs of our growing population,” Alhaji Dogondaji added.
He noted that the same retirement extension was implemented for teachers last year from 35 to 40 years of service and from 60 to 65 years of age to improve educational standards in the state.